John J. Davenport & Anthony Rudd 
Kierkegaard After MacIntyre 
Essays on Freedom, Narrative, and Virtue

In his extraordinarily influential book on ethics, After Virtue, Alasdair Mac Intyre maintained that Kierkegaard’s notion of ‘choosing’ to interpret one’s choices in ethical terms implies an arbitrary and irrational leap. Mac Intyre’s critique of Kierkegaard has become the focal point for several new interpretations of Kierkegaard that seek to answer Mac Intyre. Kierkegaard After Mac Intyre brings together both new and already published articles in this vein, with a new reply by Professor Mac Intyre.Kierkegaard After Mac Intyre reflects the emergence of a new consensus in Kierkegaard scholarship. This consensus is strongly anti-irrationalist and contemporary neo-Aristotelian virtue ethics, clarifying their common ground as well as their differences.In responding to Mac Intyre’s ‘irrationalist’ objection, the authors clarify the sense in which Kierkegaard’s own conception of freedom is teleological and suggest that his understanding of the development of ethical personality involves a quest for narrative unity, a commitment to practices involving social values, and a self-understanding conditioned by historical realityall of which are also central themes in Mac Intyre’s work on virtue ethics. Despite Mac Intyre’s diagnosis of Kierkegaard’s existential approach to ethics as unsuccessful, some of Kierkegaard’s insights may support Mac Intyre’s own theses.’Kierkegaard After Mac Intyre is an outstanding book which brings Kierkegaard into direct conversation with one of the most important contemporary philosophers. The conversation contains both lively disagreements and illuminating analyses, all focused on issues of fundamental importance for human life.’ C. Stephen Evans, Calvin College’. . . this wonderfully edifying collection of essays.’ Timothy P. Jackson, Emory University’In addressing Mac Intyre’s charge that for Kierkegaard the adoption of the ethical can only be a ‘cirterionless choice, ‘ this stimulating set of essays by well-known Kierkegaard scholars provides a welcome addition to the literature on Kierkegaardian ethics. Kierkegaard After Mac Intyre provides a valuable exploration of the role of reasoning, will, and passion in moral life, as well as of the relation between aesthetic and ethical dimensions of life.’ M. Jamie Ferreira, University of Virginia

About the author

John Davenport lives in New York City. Anthony Rudd lives in Watford, England. Alasdair Mac Intyre and Philip Quinn both teach at the University of Notre Dame.